Jan Molby: Sam Allardyce went OTT over OT pen

Molby reckons Sam Allardyce's reaction to his conceding a penalty at Old Trafford was over the top

If they spend more time in the final third and the box, it’s no surprise they get the penalties

Jan Molby

Dane Molby insists the reason Sir Alex Ferguson’s table-toppers get so many penalty decisions is simply because they attack more.

Molby says West Ham’s Sam Allardyce was wrong to criticise Phil Dowd after he awarded a penalty for handball in United’s 1-0 FA Cup Third-Round win – after dismissing appeals against Rafael (far right) in the home box.

Big Sam was charged with misconduct by the FA on Friday after saying Dowd had awarded a penalty to United but denied the Hammers a spot-kick in similar circumstances because the game was at Old Trafford, and suggested he lacked the “courage” required to do his job at the ground.

Molby, 49 (left) said: “United win more penalties because they are in more positions where the ref has to make a decision.

“If they spend more time in the final third and the box, it’s no surprise they get the penalties.

"I am not so sure Sam should be accusing refs of favouring United – it’s unwise with no conclusive evidence.”